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The Devil's Dozen: Thirteen Craft Rites of the Old One
The operations of magic and witchcraft deal with the hidden worlds of spirit and the powers innate within the natural world; within plant, stone and magical loci. The 'Old One', who in folk tradition is often named 'The Devil' embodies both the 'rend in the veil' and the spanning bridge between the worlds of the material and spiritual, the revealed and the hidden. It is through union with this entity that witches and folk magicians gained access to the powers that reside within the hidden realms and the natural world, and could awaken the potent fire within.
In traditional folk belief, the Devil existed also as an embodiment of the chaotic forces of nature; a belief quite distinct and separate from that of the Church with its 'Satan' figure. To the witch, he might also represent the 'darker' aspects of the divine; the keeper and the revealer of the divine light, the psychopomp guide of souls, and the sentinel at the threshold unto the mysteries of death and the Otherworld.
Something, it would seem, of the 'elder divinity' and the old 'spirit of the wild' has lingered through to the present; permeating regional faery lore, the calendar of ritualistic seasonal folk-customs, and traditions attached to ancient landscape features. The themes of untamed, wild nature; its freedom, its spirits, its power and its magic, so repugnant and threatening to the Church, were grafted onto the diabolical; affording yet greater preservation of the Old One for those who sought to stray from the path of limitation and conformity, and tread instead the hidden ways of the witch and magician.
Historical witch-lore records varied rites of initiatory contact, via which the worker of magic and witchcraft entered into a close, working relationship and union with the Old One and the spirit world. Via such union, would the ways unto curing ailments, exorcising ill influence, the attainment of desires, and the destruction of the oppressive be known, and the old artes of the circle, the spirits, the knotted cord, the pierced candle, the witch-bottle, the magical image and the spoken, inscribed and herbal charms be mastered.
From this wellspring of inspiration 'The Devil's Dozen'; a modern 'gramarye', or 'black book' of thirteen Craft rites of the Old One has been created and is offered by a present day initiate of the 'Old Craft'
Within its pages there are to be found thirteen rites - for both the 'lone' practitioner and the assembled companie - of vision, sacred compact, dedication, initiation, consecration, empowerment, protection, illumination, union, transformation and devotion.
'They are my own creations all; given in hope that they may provide usefulness or inspiration, and each a personal offering of devotion unto the starlit and smoking altar of the Old One' (from the introduction).
In traditional folk belief, the Devil existed also as an embodiment of the chaotic forces of nature; a belief quite distinct and separate from that of the Church with its 'Satan' figure. To the witch, he might also represent the 'darker' aspects of the divine; the keeper and the revealer of the divine light, the psychopomp guide of souls, and the sentinel at the threshold unto the mysteries of death and the Otherworld.
Something, it would seem, of the 'elder divinity' and the old 'spirit of the wild' has lingered through to the present; permeating regional faery lore, the calendar of ritualistic seasonal folk-customs, and traditions attached to ancient landscape features. The themes of untamed, wild nature; its freedom, its spirits, its power and its magic, so repugnant and threatening to the Church, were grafted onto the diabolical; affording yet greater preservation of the Old One for those who sought to stray from the path of limitation and conformity, and tread instead the hidden ways of the witch and magician.
Historical witch-lore records varied rites of initiatory contact, via which the worker of magic and witchcraft entered into a close, working relationship and union with the Old One and the spirit world. Via such union, would the ways unto curing ailments, exorcising ill influence, the attainment of desires, and the destruction of the oppressive be known, and the old artes of the circle, the spirits, the knotted cord, the pierced candle, the witch-bottle, the magical image and the spoken, inscribed and herbal charms be mastered.
From this wellspring of inspiration 'The Devil's Dozen'; a modern 'gramarye', or 'black book' of thirteen Craft rites of the Old One has been created and is offered by a present day initiate of the 'Old Craft'
Within its pages there are to be found thirteen rites - for both the 'lone' practitioner and the assembled companie - of vision, sacred compact, dedication, initiation, consecration, empowerment, protection, illumination, union, transformation and devotion.
'They are my own creations all; given in hope that they may provide usefulness or inspiration, and each a personal offering of devotion unto the starlit and smoking altar of the Old One' (from the introduction).
170 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 8, 2017
He is a figure shrouded in mystery, the Christians call him the devil, but to witches he has a variety of names. Known he is as the man in black, auld horny, the goat food god etc. He come to ritual when properly bidden. The man in black is the central deity in traditional witchcraft. The devil is the one who initiates you into the mysteries, he stands in the great in between in fact he is the in between.
Gemma Gary has produced another small masterpiece that contains thirteen ritual dedicated to the old one. Mind you these are not Wiccan rituals these are based on traditional witchcraft. The directions are different and the tools have a slightly different use. One tool that Wicca does not have is that of the stang. The stang represents the horned god but it also represent the male and female aspects of deity and the approach is unity and love.
The first rite is a “calling the man in black” like the rest of the rituals this one should occur far away from human habitation, like out in nature or in some abandoned building. This first ritual pulls you away from the strictures of civilized man and pulls you back into the carnal forces of nature. When you summon the man in black he can appear at any times and in several; different forms. Sometimes he comes in the form of a hound, a hare , a cat, a crow or a man in a black hat and jacket. Keep your eyes open.
The next ritual is a self initiation. This one dedicates you to the path of the man in black. This ritual is done in an abandoned churchyard on a full moon light. Churches have holy power and are connected with divine energy and energy of those who have invested in that religion. Plus there is an aspect of rebellion against oppressive authority here.
The third ritual empowers the witch’s nowl. The witch’s nowl is an Iron nail that is magically empowered with divine energy. The divine energy comes from the red serpent who lives in the ground of the earth. Once the nail is empowered it is nailed into the ground t empower the working place.
The third ritual leads to the fourth ritual where in the practitioner obtains a stang and empowers it with magic or energy. An iron nail is nailed in the bottom to seal the energy in. It has horns on the top. It represents the horned god but also the masculine and feminine. It could have magical uses like that of the wand or it could be used as an object of devotion and veneration.
Now that was a sampling o the rituals that are offered. The book is small but the directions are full, complete and easy to follow. I read through the book in one day, it was that good. This is a book that any level of practitioner can use.
Gemma Gary has produced another small masterpiece that contains thirteen ritual dedicated to the old one. Mind you these are not Wiccan rituals these are based on traditional witchcraft. The directions are different and the tools have a slightly different use. One tool that Wicca does not have is that of the stang. The stang represents the horned god but it also represent the male and female aspects of deity and the approach is unity and love.
The first rite is a “calling the man in black” like the rest of the rituals this one should occur far away from human habitation, like out in nature or in some abandoned building. This first ritual pulls you away from the strictures of civilized man and pulls you back into the carnal forces of nature. When you summon the man in black he can appear at any times and in several; different forms. Sometimes he comes in the form of a hound, a hare , a cat, a crow or a man in a black hat and jacket. Keep your eyes open.
The next ritual is a self initiation. This one dedicates you to the path of the man in black. This ritual is done in an abandoned churchyard on a full moon light. Churches have holy power and are connected with divine energy and energy of those who have invested in that religion. Plus there is an aspect of rebellion against oppressive authority here.
The third ritual empowers the witch’s nowl. The witch’s nowl is an Iron nail that is magically empowered with divine energy. The divine energy comes from the red serpent who lives in the ground of the earth. Once the nail is empowered it is nailed into the ground t empower the working place.
The third ritual leads to the fourth ritual where in the practitioner obtains a stang and empowers it with magic or energy. An iron nail is nailed in the bottom to seal the energy in. It has horns on the top. It represents the horned god but also the masculine and feminine. It could have magical uses like that of the wand or it could be used as an object of devotion and veneration.
Now that was a sampling o the rituals that are offered. The book is small but the directions are full, complete and easy to follow. I read through the book in one day, it was that good. This is a book that any level of practitioner can use.
June 23, 2017
The Devil's Dozen is one of those texts that one may be in danger of taking for granted the value of this book.
I initially took this book up first because I looked at the page count and saw 160 pages and simply thought, "this will do for some light reading over the weekend". Little did I appreciate that author, Gemma Gary, would find a truly approachable method for aspiring students of Traditional Witchcraft to approach this often enigmatic if not often misrepresented branch of modern witchcraft.
Approaching the Devil-figure of Man In Black as a sort of engrained 'psychopomp' the book takes on echoes of the ancient initiatic traditions of old. As with all initiations this is only the beginning and where I feared this book may have gone the way of so many Wicca101 style books offering pseudo-initiatory experience this book *DID NOT* in fact lead the student/reader through a series of initiatory rites promising false illusions of divine knowledge. Instead, Gary brings the reader through the key tools of a traditional witch.
Where else Gary could have run down a well trodden rabbit hole in modern pagan authorship is that she did not hand deliver the reader to a surface layer reading of an experience. At every opportunity the reader is invited to make use of the suggested rituals and adaptions as needed and they are also invited to experience the Craft first hand. How deeply one reads into the ritual experience/text is very much up to the reader, but there is definitely a wealth of information and experience backing up this work.
I initially took this book up first because I looked at the page count and saw 160 pages and simply thought, "this will do for some light reading over the weekend". Little did I appreciate that author, Gemma Gary, would find a truly approachable method for aspiring students of Traditional Witchcraft to approach this often enigmatic if not often misrepresented branch of modern witchcraft.
Approaching the Devil-figure of Man In Black as a sort of engrained 'psychopomp' the book takes on echoes of the ancient initiatic traditions of old. As with all initiations this is only the beginning and where I feared this book may have gone the way of so many Wicca101 style books offering pseudo-initiatory experience this book *DID NOT* in fact lead the student/reader through a series of initiatory rites promising false illusions of divine knowledge. Instead, Gary brings the reader through the key tools of a traditional witch.
Where else Gary could have run down a well trodden rabbit hole in modern pagan authorship is that she did not hand deliver the reader to a surface layer reading of an experience. At every opportunity the reader is invited to make use of the suggested rituals and adaptions as needed and they are also invited to experience the Craft first hand. How deeply one reads into the ritual experience/text is very much up to the reader, but there is definitely a wealth of information and experience backing up this work.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2020
One of my absolute favorite books on witchcraft. A darker more feral side and I wouldn’t recommend for those faint of heart.
There is no handholding here so beware. She only gives you the bare bones. The rest she leaves to you to figure out on your own.
There is no handholding here so beware. She only gives you the bare bones. The rest she leaves to you to figure out on your own.
August 26, 2020
3.5 stars
Not Gary’s strongest work, but informative nevertheless. I particularly enjoyed the reformation of old rites configured for modern times, though obtaining a human skull is quite difficult in the US the last I checked (please tell me if that has changed?).
A big pet peeve is finding spelling errors; granted, if self publishing/editing, these things can slip through the cracks, but still!
Not Gary’s strongest work, but informative nevertheless. I particularly enjoyed the reformation of old rites configured for modern times, though obtaining a human skull is quite difficult in the US the last I checked (please tell me if that has changed?).
A big pet peeve is finding spelling errors; granted, if self publishing/editing, these things can slip through the cracks, but still!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2021
This is a uniquely Cornish witchcraft that is evocative and fascinating.
January 1, 2024
4.5 stars. This book was very interesting and gave lots of practical ways to work trad craft. I’d love to try some of the rites presented, even if modified somewhat.
Anyone who’s been around the block knows that witchcraft isn’t safe. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take precautions, though. It’s clear the author isn’t American, or at least from the part of the US that I’m from, because practicing these rites at the locations and times she suggests would DEFINITELY draw a visit from the cops.
Additionally, I’m not a fan of the faux olde-style writing. You wrote this in 2014. Come on. That’s why the half star is deducted.
I do think there was a ton of useful information here, in a very short and sweet book. I would definitely benefit from a reread. Lots of hidden information among the rites. Fantastic book.
Anyone who’s been around the block knows that witchcraft isn’t safe. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take precautions, though. It’s clear the author isn’t American, or at least from the part of the US that I’m from, because practicing these rites at the locations and times she suggests would DEFINITELY draw a visit from the cops.
Additionally, I’m not a fan of the faux olde-style writing. You wrote this in 2014. Come on. That’s why the half star is deducted.
I do think there was a ton of useful information here, in a very short and sweet book. I would definitely benefit from a reread. Lots of hidden information among the rites. Fantastic book.
May 25, 2015
This book is Gemma Gary's creation both as a piece of art and ritual guide. 13 rites dedicated to the Witchfather of traditional witchcraft. It's fantastic as both a piece of art and a Trad witch Tome.
This is a special limited edition of 300. I have number 95.
This is a special limited edition of 300. I have number 95.
September 27, 2024
With The Devil’s Dozen, Gemma Gary takes readers deep into the heart of traditional witchcraft, presenting a black book of thirteen potent rites centered around the enigmatic figure of the Old One. This is not a light introduction to the craft, nor a whimsical exploration of folklore. Rather, it is a serious and contemplative grimoire, designed for both solitary practitioners and small groups who wish to engage in the ritualistic and devotional workings of the Old Craft. For those ready to walk in the shadowed groves and hidden paths of the witch’s world, The Devil’s Dozen offers a richly textured map.
Each of the thirteen rites is carefully constructed, drawing from the well of historical witchcraft practices while infusing them with the living tradition of today’s Craft. These are not generic rituals; they are complex and evocative workings that involve the practitioner in a dance of dedication, initiation, and transformation. Gary’s writing style is straightforward yet imbued with a poetic resonance that makes each rite feel almost liturgical. The text demands to be read aloud, invoking the spirits of the place and summoning the primal forces that dwell in the unseen.
The book opens with rites of vision and sacred compact, setting the stage for practitioners to establish a relationship with the Old One—a figure who embodies both the primal power of the land and the deep mysteries of witchcraft. What follows is a progression through rituals of consecration, empowerment, protection, and more, each one building upon the last. Gary emphasizes the importance of each rite being a true working of the practitioner’s will and spirit, not simply an act of rote repetition. The reader is called to fully engage, to meet the Old One as both guide and initiator into deeper levels of the Craft.
One of the standout aspects of The Devil’s Dozen is its adaptability. Gary carefully constructs each rite to be effective whether performed by a lone practitioner in solitary devotion or a gathered group of witches seeking a shared experience. The rites are detailed and meticulously outlined, yet they also leave room for personalization and adaptation, allowing each witch to shape them according to their own inner vision and relationship with the Old One. This flexibility ensures that the book remains relevant regardless of one’s level of experience or the size of one’s working circle.
In addition to the rites themselves, Gary’s commentary on each ritual’s purpose and the symbolic elements used provides deeper insight into the broader philosophy of the Old Craft. Her discussions on tools, sacred spaces, and the significance of various ritual acts reveal the underlying structure of her tradition, making The Devil’s Dozen not just a grimoire but a teaching text for those willing to engage with its mysteries. Gary’s emphasis on the transformative nature of these rites, particularly those of union and illumination, highlights the core of traditional witchcraft as a path of personal and spiritual evolution.
The imagery and symbolism throughout The Devil’s Dozen are steeped in the aesthetic of the Old Craft. From the whispered invocations of the land spirits to the use of traditional ritual objects such as the stang and the witches’ mill, every element speaks to a tradition that is both grounded in the land and reaching toward the mysteries of the stars. The figure of the Old One is ever-present, weaving through each rite like a dark thread, guiding the practitioner toward a deeper understanding of the self and the world.
Ultimately, The Devil’s Dozen is a book for those serious about their craft, for those who are willing to approach the Old One not with fear, but with respect, reverence, and a desire for true communion. It is a grimoire that asks for commitment and offers initiation in return. Gary’s work stands as a powerful testament to the enduring nature of the Old Craft, proving once again that the Devil’s path is not one of mere superstition or folklore, but a living, breathing tradition that continues to guide witches today.
For any practitioner drawn to the darker, more contemplative currents of traditional witchcraft, The Devil’s Dozen is an essential text—one that will not only enrich their practice but deepen their relationship with the Old One and the craft itself.
Each of the thirteen rites is carefully constructed, drawing from the well of historical witchcraft practices while infusing them with the living tradition of today’s Craft. These are not generic rituals; they are complex and evocative workings that involve the practitioner in a dance of dedication, initiation, and transformation. Gary’s writing style is straightforward yet imbued with a poetic resonance that makes each rite feel almost liturgical. The text demands to be read aloud, invoking the spirits of the place and summoning the primal forces that dwell in the unseen.
The book opens with rites of vision and sacred compact, setting the stage for practitioners to establish a relationship with the Old One—a figure who embodies both the primal power of the land and the deep mysteries of witchcraft. What follows is a progression through rituals of consecration, empowerment, protection, and more, each one building upon the last. Gary emphasizes the importance of each rite being a true working of the practitioner’s will and spirit, not simply an act of rote repetition. The reader is called to fully engage, to meet the Old One as both guide and initiator into deeper levels of the Craft.
One of the standout aspects of The Devil’s Dozen is its adaptability. Gary carefully constructs each rite to be effective whether performed by a lone practitioner in solitary devotion or a gathered group of witches seeking a shared experience. The rites are detailed and meticulously outlined, yet they also leave room for personalization and adaptation, allowing each witch to shape them according to their own inner vision and relationship with the Old One. This flexibility ensures that the book remains relevant regardless of one’s level of experience or the size of one’s working circle.
In addition to the rites themselves, Gary’s commentary on each ritual’s purpose and the symbolic elements used provides deeper insight into the broader philosophy of the Old Craft. Her discussions on tools, sacred spaces, and the significance of various ritual acts reveal the underlying structure of her tradition, making The Devil’s Dozen not just a grimoire but a teaching text for those willing to engage with its mysteries. Gary’s emphasis on the transformative nature of these rites, particularly those of union and illumination, highlights the core of traditional witchcraft as a path of personal and spiritual evolution.
The imagery and symbolism throughout The Devil’s Dozen are steeped in the aesthetic of the Old Craft. From the whispered invocations of the land spirits to the use of traditional ritual objects such as the stang and the witches’ mill, every element speaks to a tradition that is both grounded in the land and reaching toward the mysteries of the stars. The figure of the Old One is ever-present, weaving through each rite like a dark thread, guiding the practitioner toward a deeper understanding of the self and the world.
Ultimately, The Devil’s Dozen is a book for those serious about their craft, for those who are willing to approach the Old One not with fear, but with respect, reverence, and a desire for true communion. It is a grimoire that asks for commitment and offers initiation in return. Gary’s work stands as a powerful testament to the enduring nature of the Old Craft, proving once again that the Devil’s path is not one of mere superstition or folklore, but a living, breathing tradition that continues to guide witches today.
For any practitioner drawn to the darker, more contemplative currents of traditional witchcraft, The Devil’s Dozen is an essential text—one that will not only enrich their practice but deepen their relationship with the Old One and the craft itself.
July 8, 2025
This is definitely not for the beginner! Gemma gives rites and rituals that are deeply embedded in the earth and ride the line of discomfort but more in the way of pushing yourself. Most of the rituals are held outside in more "private" and less trafficked/visited areas. If you are in the city or don't have places available to you that are described in the book it will take some time, planning, and adjusting. Also, the rites can be described as intense so in my opinion, a practitioner who does them so be very much solid in their beliefs and practices because they are calling upon spirits and entities that are often seen as evil/negative (though they arent, they are just grey). Super interesting book and I liked all the rites but its safe to say I won't be doing any of them since I'm not a ceremonial practitioner.
September 21, 2018
This book and its rituals and lore made me live deliciously every moment I was reading it. These aren't rites for no Wiccan, light-worker, Harm-None, positively witch. These rituals are rooted in sources folklore and are concerned with the powers that are activated when you step out into a dark night alone in the middle of the woods, and speak the names of a being we've been raised to fear. And then it challenges you to do call it to you, and to be vulnerable, and to find the power the comes from sitting through the fear.
March 19, 2022
I can't say I enjoyed this book. The rites are all very interesting and I certainly will be adapting some of them, but that's about all the good I can say. This is a recent book, published in 2015, yet written like an ancient grimore. I get it, it's aesthetic. But doing so makes the book less accessible for people. I'm also not sure of any rites that *could* be done without changing anything. I mean, one calls for a human skull. No mention of how you should ethically attain one either, just that you need it for the rite.
Disappointed in the book overall and glad I read it on a free site.
Disappointed in the book overall and glad I read it on a free site.
January 13, 2023
I fully enjoyed the walk through the folk traditions, history, and rituals offered by Gemma Gary. Coming from an American, eclectic tradition whose current is formed of several streams, it was fascinating to find similarities and differences.
While I did not perform these specific rites, I have seen or participated in various, including initiations of my own, and the I loved reading and understanding a shared root found in historical accounts.
I think this is a fully informed, well researched, informed book and I highly recommend.
While I did not perform these specific rites, I have seen or participated in various, including initiations of my own, and the I loved reading and understanding a shared root found in historical accounts.
I think this is a fully informed, well researched, informed book and I highly recommend.
March 2, 2023
I am woefully inadequate for reviewing this book. I was referred to it as an “authentic” witchcraft book and I was curious what that meant. This book has some history as well as multiple rites which to my untrained eye seem well laid out and informative. That being said, rating the book is tricky because I can’t say whether it was what it claimed to be, but it certainly seems accessible and substantial.
June 9, 2025
A delicious offering the 13 right linked to the devil. But do not be deceived this is not the devil of the Bible. This is something older primaeval linked to forest. It is the horned one. Another well written offering from Gemma Gary.
November 20, 2025
Way more rituals than I need, but so much inspiration to be had from this gem. There are other and more simple ways to connect to the Witch Father, but this is a wonderful guide through various techniques.
January 22, 2018
An interesting collection of historical and contemporary rituals of South West England.
July 14, 2020
Great read. If you know you’re old one lore you can see how Gemma has pieced this together and how it’s a great companion for anyone interested in old craft and keeping its flame lit
November 10, 2021
Great book, very fascinating stuff contained within this little book!
P.S: I gave this book for 4 stars, cause it has some typographical errors, that I noticed.
P.S: I gave this book for 4 stars, cause it has some typographical errors, that I noticed.
December 3, 2022
Interesting, but skip the audiobook. I found the production mildly campy but the sound effects definitely distracting.
June 11, 2024
Written in such a clear manner, which really helped bring traditional practice into modern use
October 1, 2024
Gemma Gary has shared some gorgeous rites in this book filled with vivid descriptions that make you feel connected to the practices. absolutely loved it.
March 17, 2025
A fantastic edition to the occult bookshelf.
June 29, 2024
4⭐️
That was an informative and interesting book!
However I don’t think that performing rituals on the church graveyard or getting a human skull would be an easy task nowadays. Besides of it I really enjoyed reading about this rituals and found them fascinating.
That was an informative and interesting book!
However I don’t think that performing rituals on the church graveyard or getting a human skull would be an easy task nowadays. Besides of it I really enjoyed reading about this rituals and found them fascinating.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews